Mobile internet ban in the wake of patidar agitation in Gujarat: A Socio-Economic study of digital media ecology

India has emerged as one of the most digital media savvy country that has crossed 450 million mobile Internet users by June 2017. The major question raised in the wake of mobile internet ban is as to how ban affected the socio-economic life of various segments of mobile internet users and means and methods were utilized to prevent any adverse effects on commerce and communication? The paper aims to describe and analyze the continuing Patidar (also known as Patel) agitation in Gujarat, since July, 2015, which reached its zenith when government decided to ban Mobile Internet during August 25–31, 2015 that followed several short duration internet ban in various parts of Gujarat. In order to assess the socio-economic impact of ban a multisite survey was carried out in three largest cities of Gujarat during April-May 2016 having a sample of 600 adults Mobile phone users of either sex. The null hypothesis tested in this study was that other thing equal, the advent of mobile Internet and other digital communication would not replace or alter traditional methods of communication being followed in the ancient composite civilization of India.